Easy to repair
Engineer in Chief Gary Evert then pointed out that the RDX has to live, above all, in an urban environment. Like a football player, it must take hits without being injured. The engineers used plastic components on the lower portion of the bumpers, side rocker panels and liftgate, to facilitate repairs after impacts. Conscious that an urban environment is more likely to cause fender benders, they chose to use parts that are easier and cheaper to replace.
Luxurious and practical cocoon
That's what the RDX's creators aim to offer. Two versions are available, base and Tech, and it's the latter that we're testing. We find, like its name suggests, remarkable audiovisual technology. Its audio system includes 10 speakers whose sound was tweaked by the experts of the ELS firm; we also find an Acura bilingual navigation system with voice recognition. A good feature is a camera that allows us to easily and safely back up. A cellular phone user can put the Bluetooth wireless system to good use, as long as the law will allow it. Let's get back to standard features.
In front, the occupants are well treated. Driving position is good, whatever the size of the driver. We could moan about the steering wheel that doesn't tilt down low enough, but its telescopic function makes grabbing it easy. Before hitting the road, we have to learn all the buttons located on the steering wheel, to avoid searching for them while driving. The dials are very centered and easy to read.
The other buttons are intuitive. The RDX is equipped with a foot-actuated parking brake, instead of a handbrake. According to Gary Evert, the excellent storage bin that the company decided to place between the seats explains this choice. You can place a portable computer in that storage space and lock it. As such, we avoid getting attention if we choose to leave our PC in our car. This storage bin also has shelves that allow stowing all sorts of accessories. There are also several other practical storage spaces, which is good.
The seats offer good lateral support. Visibility in front is good despite pillars that are quite massive. They moved the side mirrors to insure a good vision angle in curves, and when stopped. The front passenger might have trouble sliding his feet under the dashboard if he moves his seat up. In back, adults will be less spoiled. The leather-clad seatback is too slippery and doesn't offer a good lateral support. Storage is also more limited. We'll use the centre armrest to lean ourselves against it during cornering. However, visibility ahead is good, and we don't have to twist our necks to see the road.
Versatile trunk
As the customer base will be consisted of active adults and young families, Acura saw fit to make room for groceries and store mountain bikes, golf
bags or snowboards. For these awkward last objects, the rear seatback can easily be folded down in a 60/40 split. Liftover height seems pretty good to us.
The luggage cover is adjustable to two different heights, or transforms itself into a plastic floor if turned upside down. Nice touch. Cargo volume varies between 787 and 1,716 liters. With the trailer package, the RDX can also tow up to 680 kg (1,500 lbs), a trailer carrying a snowmobile, motorcycle or sport boat, for example.
 |
| (Photo: Amyot Bachand) |
Luxurious and practical cocoon
That's what the RDX's creators aim to offer. Two versions are available, base and Tech, and it's the latter that we're testing. We find, like its name suggests, remarkable audiovisual technology. Its audio system includes 10 speakers whose sound was tweaked by the experts of the ELS firm; we also find an Acura bilingual navigation system with voice recognition. A good feature is a camera that allows us to easily and safely back up. A cellular phone user can put the Bluetooth wireless system to good use, as long as the law will allow it. Let's get back to standard features.
 |
| (Photo: Amyot Bachand) |
The other buttons are intuitive. The RDX is equipped with a foot-actuated parking brake, instead of a handbrake. According to Gary Evert, the excellent storage bin that the company decided to place between the seats explains this choice. You can place a portable computer in that storage space and lock it. As such, we avoid getting attention if we choose to leave our PC in our car. This storage bin also has shelves that allow stowing all sorts of accessories. There are also several other practical storage spaces, which is good.
The seats offer good lateral support. Visibility in front is good despite pillars that are quite massive. They moved the side mirrors to insure a good vision angle in curves, and when stopped. The front passenger might have trouble sliding his feet under the dashboard if he moves his seat up. In back, adults will be less spoiled. The leather-clad seatback is too slippery and doesn't offer a good lateral support. Storage is also more limited. We'll use the centre armrest to lean ourselves against it during cornering. However, visibility ahead is good, and we don't have to twist our necks to see the road.
Versatile trunk
As the customer base will be consisted of active adults and young families, Acura saw fit to make room for groceries and store mountain bikes, golf
 |
| (Photo: Amyot Bachand) |
The luggage cover is adjustable to two different heights, or transforms itself into a plastic floor if turned upside down. Nice touch. Cargo volume varies between 787 and 1,716 liters. With the trailer package, the RDX can also tow up to 680 kg (1,500 lbs), a trailer carrying a snowmobile, motorcycle or sport boat, for example.